Denouement

 A variety of things are in the process of coming to their final curtain. Our Moz wrapped up a wildly successful residency at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on Sunday. His final show there was another stellar performance by Morrissey. He does get better with age. The drama, the emotion and the stage presence rise above any musical artist out there today. The patrons, who were lucky enough to attend these shows, were sent home glowingly happy. Superb setlists, great musicianship and of course the mellifluous voice of Our Moz,. He is one of a kind.  Personally, I was very pleased to hear the song "Tomorrow", one of my absolute favorite songs. At least through You tube, I was able to get a glimpse of what it was like to be there. Nothing like the real thing of course. Our Moz continues on to Riot Fest in Chicago for a Thursday Night appearance. After that who knows? Tomorrow is a promise to no one.

                                                            First Of The Gang To Die

                                                          Seasick, Yet Still Docked

Summer is rapidly coming to its final terminus. It always starts with such high hopes and dreams but sadly ends with destitute melancholy. The final verdict is always the morbid winter and death to the life that spring and summer bring. The song remains the same.

While on one hand, I am delighted Morrissey's Las Vegas residency was fabulous. On the other hand, I am increasingly distressed at what I know is on its way. I take solace in the fact that no one cares. Lesson 1 learned in this life: people only give a shit about their own flea bitten lives.

                 Just done running 4 miles this afternoon. Is the last mile really the hardest mile?

                                                        I can't help the way I feel.

I awoke last night to the sound of thunder.

How far off I sat and wondered.

He Didn't!

 HE DID!!!!

On the second night of his Las Vegas residency Our Moz played one of my absolute favorite songs!

"TOMORROW" 

I have been waiting and hoping for the last several years for Mozza to slip this wonderful song into a set list of his. I kind of gave up hope. Morrissey has such an expansive catalog of incredible music. So many great songs to choose from. I think "Tomorrow" is one of his best compositions ever. It stands with his best from The Smiths and Solo. It sounded tremendous live on Sunday and was very well received by the audience. I'm guessing that Alain Whyte being back in the band had something to do with it. He was a cowriter with Morrissey of the song. I think Our Moz may have given us a little hint in his New Years eve video. He said "To hell with 2020" "To hell with it" several times and his last words were "Here's to Tomorrow".

                                                         Here's to Tomorrow

Our Moz's next show in Vegas is this Thursday, September 2. Who knows what gems Mozza will pull out for his legions of devoted fans. "To Me You Are A Work Of Art"? He couldn't, he wouldn't!

Well Hello

The world is coming apart at the seams. Afghanistan, Hurricane Ida about to devastate Louisiana, Covid on a deadly rampage and Haiti in shambles. Those 2 words last night (Well Hello) made things a little calmer and the world not such horrid place for a short time. That's because Our Moz has returned to the stage, starting his residency at Caesars Palace  in Las Vegas. I have been anticipating the show for some time now. Of course Mozza did not disappoint. He looked good and his voice sounded fine. 

I was very curious how the band would sound. It was a different vibe and not in a bad way at all. It was nice to see Alain Whyte back on stage with Our Moz. He is a consummate professional and a standout musician in his own right. I did miss Boz a bit. It always seems normal seeing Boz to the left of Moz.(or right depending on your perspective).  Alain was great. Solomon Walker is back on bass and was solid. The backbone of the band has been Matt Walker. Brendan Buckley is the new drummer. He did a good job replacing Matt. I'm no musician, but to me the band was excellent backing Our Moz.

Everyone always comments on the setlist. It was good, it was bad, it was great, it sucked. My comment is Mozza is going to play what he wants to. It's his concert. I am just happy to hear the songs and appreciate what he decides to play. He added some gems to this show for the audience. "Never Had No One Ever", "The Lazy Sunbathers" and "This Night Has Opened My Eyes", It was a great start to Mozza's Las Vegas residency. The patrons were happy to get to see Morrissey live again. And we all know, Jacky's only happy when she's up on the stage. I'm excited to see and hear what happens tonight in Vegas. Bravo, Mozza!

                                                  The Night Has Opened My Eyes

 

                                                              The Lazy Sunbathers

Who remembers this? 6 years ago today.

Anticipation

 

We can never know about the days to come

But we think about them anyway.

Elizabeth

In memoriam:

 Elizabeth Dwyer

November  13, 1937

August 13, 2020

The darkest hour.

It's always just before the dawn.

For Your Convenience

 Summer is flying by as usual for me. Pretty soon it will be dreaded autumn and the beginning of  the despised cold weather that makes my life miserable. Today was a scorching, hot 87 degrees. Just the way I like it. At five  o' clock I drove down to the bike trail to go for a 5 mile run. Of course I choose the hottest part of the day to torture my body. Fortunately, I was able to complete my run with flying colors. I didn't have a heart attack or stroke so I considered it a rousing success.

After I was done, I changed shirts. My running shirt was completely soaked. I changed into my Smiths Queen Is Dead T shirt.

                                                                     I am a living sign

I drove to the local convenience store to get something to drink and some snacks for later. I walked into the store and I was utterly and completely shocked when I heard "How Soon Is Now?" on their sound system. I never thought in a million years I would hear a Smiths song there. So I walked around the store proudly wearing my shirt and wouldn't you know not a damn person even noticed. I wanted to scream "THIS IS THE SMITHS, THE GREATEST BAND OF ALL TIME". "THIS IS MORRISSEY, OUR GENERATION'S OSCAR WILDE". Of course I did no such thing because I am too much of a wimpy wimp. So I paid for my items and left. I love irony and this was one of those occasions that is just a small slice of a meaningless life.

In another small bit of irony I was listening to REM, "Turn You Inside-Out" on the way over to the convenience store.

                                                                      How Soon Is Now?

On a more somber note, we are coming up on the one year anniversary of Moz's Mother, Elizabeth passing on August 13, 2020. Our heartfelt thoughts go out to Morrissey on this sad occasion. We wish him well and hope that he continues to soldier on in this difficult time.

Here In My Car

 

                                                                I feel safest of all

                                                               I can lock all my doors

                                                        It's the only way to live in cars.

PS.

Dateline August 16, 2021.

I was extremely agitated and worried last night and had a fitful night of sleep. Not because of the collapse of Afghanistan, Covid 19 or my Mothers health. I couldn't remember the correct last name of the offensive guard in John Goodman's speech at the end of "Revenge Of The Nerds". I thought it was Rich Valron. When I woke up I looked up the actual script of the movie and much to my dismay it was Rich Valroy. I watched and listened to the clip from the movie over and over, I have to grudgingly admit it is probably Rich Valroy.

WienIX, Berggasse 19